What are the economic functions that financial intermediaries perform that benefit society? In your answer, discuss the relationship of financial intermediaries and financial markets to the savings-investment process within an economy and to each other. As part of your discussion provide an analysis of the differences in preferences among economic agents as an explanation for the wide variety of primary and secondary securities found in financial markets.

Be sure to explain how depository intermediaries, like banks, differ from other financial institutions such as investment banking firms or securities brokerage companies, and how financial intermediaries profit from the transformation of primary securities into secondary claims.

Carefully, DEFINE YOUR TERMS.